"What do you think of this color?" Jen asked, holding up a dark burgundy, long-sleeved shirt with threads of shining black running through it. They had been downtown for almost two hours, browsing the racks of clothing during all the after Christmas sales.

"It's nice," Joey answered distractedly.

Audrey and Jen exchanged a look, and Audrey picked up a lime green tube top. "What about this, Jo? You think it would look good on me?"

She nodded. "Great."

"I was thinking about getting a pair of these for Dawson," Jen added, pulling a pink padded bra from the rack. "I've always thought he wanted to try cross dressing. What do you think, Joey?"

"Yeah, that's fine." She raised the straw to the soda she had bought to her lips. "What do you think the guys are doing?"

Jen and Audrey started to giggle. "I have no idea, but it can't be more fun than what we're doing."

"Dawson said something about a basketball game." Jen shook her head. "That's code for playing Horse and then sitting on the side lines for two hours drinking soda."

"Hmm..."

"All right, Bunny. As amusing as it is to see you all space-cadet-y, I think it's time to let us in on whatever it is that has you agreeing to cross-dressing Dawson."

Joey arched an eyebrow in disbelief. "When did I ever agree to cross-dressing Dawson?"

"About thirty seconds ago," Jen laughed.

Joey rolled her eyes. "Did not."

"You did, but that's not important." Audrey pushed through the items on the sales rack, "What's on your mind?"

“You know Jack gets really hungry after playing basketball. Maybe we should bring the guys sandwiches or something."

"Or something," Jen said under her breath.

"I suppose we could do that," Audrey nodded, elbowing Jen in the ribs.

Joey smiled. "Yeah..."

"I still need to find a few new clothes though," Audrey said continuing to skim the racks. "Hey, Joey, maybe we should get you a new night gown too?" She suggested innocently.

Joey's cheeks colored slightly and she smiled. "That'd be a really good idea. I need to pick up some more vanilla lotion anyway."

Audrey cast Jen a wicked glance. "You guys don't have a Victoria's Secret in this rinky-dink town, do you?"

Jen smiled. "Next town over."

"What do you think, Jo? Shall we make the trip?"

"Sounds like an idea."

Jen grinned. "Then we'll bring the boys sandwiches."

~*~

Joey balanced a tray of sodas in her hand as she walked down the grass alongside Jen and Audrey. "Maybe this was a bad idea."

"No, a bad idea is Jack, Pacey and Dawson playing basketball in the dead of winter." Audrey shivered. "That's what a bad idea is."

"We're like probably intruding on some guy bonding moment. They probably don't even want us here." Joey turned around. "We should go."

"Oh, no, Joey." Jen shook her head, catching her arm. "You dragged us out here in the cold, you're staying."

"I did not drag you out here," Joey protested weakly.

"Come on," Jen pulled her forward none-to-gently. "Hey guys, we come bearing food!" She called across to the outdoor basketball court in the elementary playground.

Dawson and Jack looked over to her, allowing Pacey an easy lay-up. "Sixteen to eight. I told you two I could wipe the floor with you."

"You're playing two on one?" Audrey arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Dawson nodded. "It was he and I against Jack, seeing as how he's the seasoned athlete. But Pacey had enough energy to take us both on."

Joey held out the tray in her hands. "I have soda," she winced at how dumb she sounded.

Pacey moved beside her and picked up one of the cold drinks, popping the top, he winked at her. "Thanks."

She smiled brightly. "Welcome."

He tilted his head back and quickly guzzled down the drink, having worked up quite a sweat, even in the cold January air. "What else did you damsels bring to resuscitate us?"

She swallowed. "Sandwiches."

"PB and J?" Jack asked hopefully.

"One PB and J for Jack." Jen produced the sandwich, cut into four triangles, just the way she knew he liked it. "A turkey for Dawson." She handed her boyfriend the second sandwich and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "And for Pacey...Turkey and roast beef, minus the tomato with extra pepper."

Audrey threw an arm around Joey's shoulder. "It was all Joey's idea. I was willing to let you starve. Isn't she so thoughtful?"

Pacey nodded, unwrapping his sandwich with a smile, "Incredibly."

"But we were able to stop at Victoria's Secret first. Made some great buys." Audrey winked at Dawson. "Are you in luck tonight."

Dawson flushed a furious red. And Jen winked at him before reprimanding Audrey. "Don't tease, Audrey. It's not nice."

"And Joey found this great cherry flavored massage oil. Ooh, and I picked up this cool nightie, but that's not important anyway. Like you guys care about what we bought or something."

"Oh, no." Pacey shook his head, a playful smile on his face. "We care. Don't we boys?"

"Well, I don't." Jack said, swallowing a bite of his sandwich. "But you two might."

Audrey grinned. "I don't want to ruin the surprise."

Jen elbowed Audrey. "Speaking of...when are you guys going to be done here?"

"Wait?" Pacey perked up, "There are surprises?"

"Did I say surprise?" Audrey asked innocently. "I didn't. Joey let me get a soda."

The guys laughed at Audrey. "Fine, fine." Dawson exchanged look a look with Jack. "I guess we're done letting Pacey kick our ass. We can head home now."

"Well, we don't all fit in Jen's car."

"I've got mine here," Pacey pointed out.

Audrey grinned. "Great."

"Who's riding with me?" He asked, taking another bite of his sandwich.

Audrey glanced at Jen. "We can just leave the way we came right?"

"Yeah," Jen nodded. "We'll meet you guys back at the B&B, right?"

Audrey raised an eyebrow. "But didn't you want to talk to Dawson?"

"Did I?" She paused for a second, "Oh, right. I did. Dawson, sweetie, you're riding back with me and Audrey."

"Oh and I totally wanted to talk Jack into taking me to that gay bar we passed while we were at Victoria’s Secret." Audrey grabbed Jack's hand. "You're with me, honey."

"Gay bar?" Jack asked. "There aren't any--" Jen stomped on his foot. "Oh. Yes. The gay bar."

"I guess that means you're with me, Jo." Pacey met her gaze.

Joey shrugged, shooting Jen and Audrey a look. "I guess."

They finished eating, and split up to go to the two cars. "So...Victoria's Secret, huh?" He teased. "Whose idea was it to go there?"

"Audrey's."

"Why am I not surprised?" he chuckled, opening the door for her.

Joey glanced back toward their friends. "Can they be anymore obvious?"

"Not if they had shoved you into my car. I especially liked the gay bar excuse."

She smiled. "Audrey's very creative."

"So I've noticed." He got in on his side of the car and started the engine.

Joey shivered faintly. "I can't believe you were playing basketball in this weather."

"I had some bottled up energy," he shrugged. "Are you cold?"

"A little. It is winter."

He stretched his arm across the seat and pulled her closer. "I know we're technically out in public, but I think were relatively safe from prying eyes since we're in the car."

"Mm..." She turned in his arms, pressing her lips against his neck. "I hope so."

She could feel his pulse jump erratically against her lips. He tightened an arm around her shoulders. "Or...you know, we don't have to go back to the B&B."

She smiled faintly. "That idea has some merit."

"You can tell me all about this cherry massage oil."

She laughed. "And why would I do that?"

"So I know how to use it," he teased.

"I'm sure you can be creative." She smiled.

"Oh, I can. Believe me." He winked at her. "Do you wanna go park somewhere?"

She grinned crookedly. "Sounds romantic."

He smirked, and took a left away from the creek. A few short minutes later, they were parked at the ruins. He killed the engine, but left the keys in the ignition and flipped through the station until he came to a soft hits station. "This is about as romantic as I can get given the circumstances."

Joey tilted her head with amusement. "You know I've never parked before, so you can pretty much get away with anything."

"Don't give me ideas, Potter." He drew her into his arms and kissed her softly.

"I'm sure you wouldn't need my help for that," she said with a small smirk.

"But your opinion is oh-so-important," he brushed her hair back away from her face, tucking a few strands behind her ear.

She raised an eyebrow dubiously. "It is?"

He nodded. "Very important. I need to learn what you like, what you don't like. That one spot on your body that drives you wild..."

She blushed. "Well, I can't answer those questions."

"What fun would it be if you could just tell me?" He brushed his fingers along the column of her neck.

She bit her lip and shivered faintly. "I don't know."

"I remember a little from Junior year, I think," he murmured huskily. "You used to like it when I..." he didn't complete the sentence and instead, chose to remind her by kissing the curve where neck met shoulder. A quiet sigh escaped her lips before she had the chance to stop it.

He smiled against her soft skin, then breathed lightly over the spot, knowing how that got to her. "How did that make you feel?"

She inhaled sharply, licking her dry lips. "Not bad."

He slid closer to her over the bench seat, and tickled her side attempting to lighten the moment. "I remember you being ticklish too."

She giggled and pushed his hand away. "Stop it."

He continued to tickle her, nuzzling her neck softly, the stubble on his cheek teasing the skin. "You smell delicious. ...Vanilla?"

She nodded, giggling breathlessly. "Uh-huh."

"What else did you get from Victoria's?" He trailed his lips up her neck to the lobe of her ear.

She bit her lip. "It's a surprise."

"I don't like surprises, Potter."

"You'll like this one."

"When might I get this surprise?" He murmured placing soft kisses along her jaw.

"If I told you then it wouldn't be a surprise."

His lips curved into a smirk. "You're a tease, Potter." He leaned forward just enough to graze her lips with his. "And I think I like it."

She grinned and brought her lips to his. "So when do I get to learn the one spot on your body that drives you wild," she whispered.

He smiled. "Whenever you want to, Jo, whenever you want to." He didn't pause for a reply before kissing her firmly, his mouth enticing her to respond. She did, parting her lips and sliding her hands to the collar of his coat. She pushed herself away with a small gasp, breathing heavily. "They're probably going to start wondering where we are."

"I think they'll figure it out," he murmured, brushing her hair away from her face.
She sighed. "Probably."

"We can go if you want," he squeezed her hand and shifted back behind the wheel.

"That might be a good idea.”

"No problem," he smiled over at her as he started the car and pulled his seat belt on.

She turned to him with a frown. "I said it might be a good idea. I didn't say it was a good idea."

He cut the engine, and arched a confused eyebrow at her. "You don't want to leave?"

"Not particularly..."

"Then...?"

"Unless you want to go?"

"Do you really need to ask?" He unbuckled his seat belt again.

She smiled brightly. "Glad that's settled then."

He chuckled, and pulled her back to him. "Sometimes, Potter, I don't understand you."

She raised her eyes heavenward and shook her head in disappointment. "For some clearly insane reason I want to spend time with you. I should really have my head examined."

"I seem to have that affect on women. It's a curse," he grinned at her.

"Your sister doesn't count."

He groaned. "Way to kill the mood, Jo."

She laughed. "Sorry?"

"You better be, cause I can't really do much of anything with Carrie's image in my head."

She smiled faintly and pressed a kiss at the corner of his mouth. "Well, I'm sorry then."

"Hmm...Do that some more. I might be able to forget..."

"Apologize?" she asked innocently.

"Yeah, apologize, that's what I meant."

"Okay. I'm sorry."

"Not that way, Potter," he shook his head, a playful smile on his face.

"What way then?"

He moved his hands up to cup her face, and brought his lips to hers, "This way."

"Oh." She brushed her lips lightly against his. "Like that?"

"Exactly like that." He nodded, "The memory grows dimmer even as we speak."

"Then I should try again." She grinned and kissed him.

He parted his lips under her onslaught and curved an arm around her shoulder, cupping the back of her neck. Tentatively, her tongue entered his mouth and he let out a soft moan. It was moments like this that he couldn't quite believe that Joey Potter was really interested in him, it had to be a dream.

Joey whimpered quietly and tugged at his coat impatiently. "I think maybe we should go," she gasped. "I don't know how much more of this I can take. There are far too many heavy items of clothing."

"You want there to be fewer?" He asked, his voice husky as he moved a hand underneath her coat, and layers of sweater and t-shirt to caress her side.

She bit her lip and nodded. "I want to touch you."

He groaned under his breath and capturing her mouth in a heated kiss. "And where would we go to do this?"

She sighed softly. "That's the problem."

He trailed his lips away from her mouth to her neck. It didn't seem to him that finding a place to fool around would be that difficult, Audrey already knew about them and wouldn't be bothered if Joey slipped out of her bedroom one night. And then there was Boston...but she hadn't mentioned Boston and the future at all. And he wasn't about to bring it up any sooner than he had to.

She licked her lips. "You know it's really difficult to think when you keep on doing that."

"I didn't realize you wanted to think," he teased, and pulled away from her. "By all means, put those brain cells of yours to work."

She frowned thoughtfully. "Everyone's probably going to be back at the B&B."

"Uh huh," he brushed soft circles on her side, slowly moving the pad of his thumb over her stomach.

"So I guess that's out of the question." She bit the inside of her cheek. "This would be so much easier if everyone hadn't decided to come home for Christmas."

"Awww, but Christmas is all about family, Potter, not fooling around with your...with me." He cleared his throat and placed a warm kiss on her neck. "Where's your Christmas spirit?"

"Christmas is over. I think I'm safe." She pursed her lips in thought. "If everyone's back at the B&B that means there's no one at the Leery's and Dawson..." She stopped and shook her head, her cheeks coloring. "I can't believe those words even left my mouth. Dawson would kill me and I think it definitely means that we need some supervision. We should go."

He chuckled and nuzzled her neck. "I'm thoroughly shocked, you little hussy."

"See? Definitely a sign that we should go," she protested weakly.

"Do you mean it this time? Or are you testing me again?" He wondered with a smile.

She placed her hands on his face and gave him a quick kiss before pulling away. "I mean it. Did you not just hear me suggest Dawson's place as a setting for our illicit liaison? It's definitely time to go."

He chuckled. "I see your point."

"Good." She sat up and straightened her coat. He started the car, and reached over for her hand as he started the drive home.